Business dress

[MasterGland]

Hello, I'm a teacher looking for a promotion within the next two years, within my current school. I would like to start "dressing for the job I want", as it were. I currently wear Jersey dresses and, I have come to realise, ill fitting trousers and basic tops.
I need comfortable but smart business dress. I will have neither the time nor inclination to dry clean anything. I am petite but have a very athletic build. I can't do heels... will a wedge cut it? Any suggestions?

[Watchingthetelly]

I find blazers/jackets (mine are mostly Zara) a really easy way to look more "professional". I wear them with smart trousers (Reiss/Mango) and brogues or loafers. Jackets just smarten everything, it's much easier than trying to find smart dresses which can be tricky to find and don't look as good with flats. It depends on your style though - I like a slightly more androgenous look in work. What do you like to wear?

[Watchingthetelly]

Also I machine wash a lot of my jackets despite the instructions saying otherwise. Given they are cheap enough, I don't worry about it.

[MasterGland]

Ah, interesting, I just assumed machine washing was a no-no on "dry clean only" clothes. I don't think I have a signature style, I do like dresses but, rightly or wrongly, I have found that children respond better to a more androgynous look. So I will probably go that route. Do you wear tailored shirts with the jackets or something less dressy?

[Watchingthetelly]

Now I have some good quality wool blazers that I do dry clean, but the others wash just fine. I tend to wear them with fine knit sweaters in winter (because I'm always freezing) and short sleeved knits when it's warmer. I only do shirt/blouse plus blazer for interviews. In spring/summer I do shirt/blouse with trousers or skirt. Finding it really hard to find nice shirts recently though!

You could do jacket plus dress? I know we're not talking about the most stylish clothes here but I'm assuming your goal, like mine, is to look professional in a conservative environment.

[GenevaPL]

Lots of 'worn once' jackets, business dresses and suits on eBay. I've had Reiss, Austin Reed, and Hobbs all for around £10.00 each. At the minute, there are even fewer buyers as more and more people are working at home.

I wear a jacket, often over something a little more relaxed like a shirt dress. Wedged shoes are great too.

Bargain to be had, probably because we all do the same ...'buy for interview and wear once'. Some real bargains.

[MasterGland]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I just need to look professional. I do like shirts, but in the past have always suffered from that awful gape at the buttons on the chest, which I hate. I'll have a look for some fine knits, thanks.
I hadn't considered eBay, @GenevaPL, I suppose it makes sense now that there are fewer people in the office. I can't check the fit, but I suppose I could sell it on if it doesn't fit me? I'll check it out.

[LolaSmiles]

I wear softer fabric blazers and jackets over jersey dresses to work. They're much more versatile than more formal business blazers.

[Palavah]

I'd recommend a few dresses that you can wash with formal blazers. They will last longer if you dry clean them - they won't need done very often, you can sponge any marks, hang them up as soon as you get home, etc.

Wear a slip under unlined dresses if you can.

Buy only colours that really suit you.

[MasterGland]

Thank you. I tend to suit greens and greys, I think. I may dip a toe in dry cleaning!